Gun Control Unconstitutional

Published: Friday, January 18, 2013 at 12:01 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, January 18, 2013 at 12:01 a.m.

History tells us that one of the first requirements for suppressing a population is to disarm them.

The gun-control debate is not about hunting. Of course, you don't need 30 bullets to kill wild game. Anti-gun-control advocates seem to be reluctant to state that the value of a high capacity, semiautomatic weapon is to protect your family and property. Who do we need to protect ourselves against? Governments? The Founding Fathers recognized the potential of government to turn on its own people. That is why they insisted on the Bill of Rights before they would endorse the Constitution.

Vice President Joe Biden has recommended that President Barack Obama use an executive order to impose gun control. President Obama already has implemented more executive orders than any other U.S. president in history. We have a Congress that cannot legislate and a president who is more than willing to fill the vacuum with his own laws. This is a president that disregards constitutional requirements like submitting a budget after swearing to uphold the Constitution.

On Sept. 11, 2001, we learned that it can happen here.

If and when government benefits are cut, will we react with riots and social unrest such as Spain and Great Britain? Could our population react to government control in the same manner as Syria and Egypt? Could Iran or North Korea knock out our power grid, poison our food or water supply?

Background checks are essential. Registration is a slippery slope. Jail is no place for the mentally impaired. Gun control is unconstitutional.

<p>History tells us that one of the first requirements for suppressing a population is to disarm them.</p><p>The gun-control debate is not about hunting. Of course, you don't need 30 bullets to kill wild game. Anti-gun-control advocates seem to be reluctant to state that the value of a high capacity, semiautomatic weapon is to protect your family and property. Who do we need to protect ourselves against? Governments? The Founding Fathers recognized the potential of government to turn on its own people. That is why they insisted on the Bill of Rights before they would endorse the Constitution.</p><p>Vice President Joe Biden has recommended that President Barack Obama use an executive order to impose gun control. President Obama already has implemented more executive orders than any other U.S. president in history. We have a Congress that cannot legislate and a president who is more than willing to fill the vacuum with his own laws. This is a president that disregards constitutional requirements like submitting a budget after swearing to uphold the Constitution.</p><p>On Sept. 11, 2001, we learned that it can happen here.</p><p>If and when government benefits are cut, will we react with riots and social unrest such as Spain and Great Britain? Could our population react to government control in the same manner as Syria and Egypt? Could Iran or North Korea knock out our power grid, poison our food or water supply?</p><p>Background checks are essential. Registration is a slippery slope. Jail is no place for the mentally impaired. Gun control is unconstitutional.</p><p>There is a name for people who think it can't happen here — victim.</p><p>H. HJORTH HARVILLE</p><p>Lakeland</p>